Printing-machine.



G. v. PULK. ""PRINTING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED JULY 27, 1910.

1,006,474. Patented 061; 24, 1911.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

G. V. FULK.-

PRINTING MACHINE APPLICATION FILED JULY 27, 1910.

1,006,474. Patented 001211911.

BSHEETS-SHEET Z.

e. v. PULK. PRINTING' MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 27, 1910.

1,006,474, v Patented 0013.24, 1911'.

BBHEETS-SHEET 4.

22/2/2755555 v Esma/z; W w d G. V. 'FULK.

PRINTING MACHINE.

Q APPLIOATION FILED JULY 27, 1910. 1,006,474, Patented 001". 24, 1911.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

I Zz/z/nassas fzrszzza r: %LM Y D/z/fX/ZZZ,

G. V. FULK.

PRINTING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED JULY 21, 1910.

ZUOOfiAM. Patented 001. 21, 1911.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 6 Cleveland, 0. From MKR'Chi. Tr. 9 MD.

John F- Srmth Fremont 0. DECEMBER G. V. FULK.

PRINTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 27, 1910.

Patented Oct. 24, 191 1.

a snnmwsum 1.

G. V. FULK.

PRINTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 21, 1910.

Patented Oct. 24, 1911.

8 SHEETSSHEET 8.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GILBERT V. FULK, OF PAINESVILLE, OHIO, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO

THE POSTAL SUPPLY & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

PRINTING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 24, 1911.

Application filed July 27, 1910. Serial No. 574,113.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GILBERT V. FULK, a citizen of the United States, resident of Painesville, county of Lake, and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Printing-Machines, of which the following is a specification, the principle of the invention being herein explained and the best mode in which I have contemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguish it from other inventions.

My invention relates to printing mechanism for automatically impressing upon a suitable sheet of paper constantly recurring subject matter and successively varying subject matter, such as is required in the printing of postal slips, used in railway postal service and known as facing slips, or such as is required in the printing of theater and other similar tickets.

The object of my invention is to provide means of the above described character which shall be simple, accurate and economical in its operation, and of durable, economical construction.

My said invention consists of means hereinafter fully described and particularly set forth in the claims.

The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detail certain means embodying my invention, the disclosed mechanism, however, constituting but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be applied.

In said annexed drawings :-Figure 1 is a front elevation of a machine embodying my invention, arranged particularly for printing folded and unfolded facing slips for railway mail service. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of said machine. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section of the machine taken upon the plane indicated by line IIIIII in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan of a portion of the frame and adjacent parts, illustrating the mechanism for controlling the operation of the means for printing the successively varying subject matter. Fig. 5 is a detail cross-section of a. part of the inking mechanism for the means for printing said varying subject matter. Fig. 6 is a horizontal axial section of the machine, showing parts out by plane of section in elevation. Fig. 7 is a rear elevation of a detail part of the machine, illustrating the means for controlling the operation of the inking mechanism for the means for printmg the constantly recurring matter. Fig.

8 is a perspective view of the paper-feedtion, on an enlarged scale, of a part of themain printing cylinder, for printingsuccessively varying subject matter, showing several printing or type-plates located thereon. mentary portion of said cylinder, illustrated on the same scale as that used in Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is a perspective View of one of the projecting lugs for actuating the throwing-out mechanism. Fig. 13 is a longitudinal section of a fragmentary portion of the printing cylinder illustrated on the same scale as that used in Figs. 10 and 11. Figs. 14, 15, 15 16 and 16 are detail views of detached cylinders for printing constantly recurrin matter. Fig. 17 is a perspective view of one of the folded facing slips after having been unfolded, with the printed matter shown impressed thereon. Fig. 18 is anend elevation of one of the facing slips partially folded. Fig. 19 is a detail plan of a portion of the main frame:

of the machine, together with a plan of the printing mechanism for printing constantly recurring subject matter on unfolded slips, and the cutting mechanism for severing the slips from the continuous sheet. Fig. 20 is a detail elevation of the cam for actuating the severing device. tical cross-section of the machine showing a fragmentary portion of the main printing cylinder and adjacent parts, together with an end elevation of the printing and cutting mechanism shown in Fig. 20. Fig. 22 is a detail vertical cross-secti0n of the printing mechanism shown in Figs. 19 and 21. Fig. 23 is a plan view similar to that of Fig. 19, illustrating the printing mechanism for printing folded slips. together with the cutting mechanism for severin; same from Fig. 11 is a cross-section of a frag-- Fig. 21 is a verthe continuous strip, the said printing mechanism, however, being shown somewhat displaced from its true position with relation to the means for printing the successively varying subject matter. Fig. 2A is a view similar to that of Fig. 21, illustrating the mechanism shown in Fig. 19. Fig. 25 is a detail end elevation of the train of gears employed in the mechanism shown in Fig. 2 1.

The machine illustrated as embodying my invention includes the following main elements: First, means for printing constantly varying subject matter, with mechanism for operating and controlling same. Second, means for printing constantly recurring subject matter, together with mechanism for operating and controlling same. Third, means for severing the printed slips and catching same in a suitable receptacle ready for removal. Fourth, means for folding the continuous strip of paper upon which the impressions are to be made, together with means for feeding and controlling the feed of such folded strip, and means for feeding and controlling the feed of the unfolded strip.

All of the above named four elements are arranged to cooperate with each other to form one cotirdinatestructure, operating automatically in so far as concerns the printing of one set of slips, both folded and unfolded.

-As above noted, the illustrated machine is adapted to print both folded and unfolded slips, and therefore constitutes practically two machines which, however, are all embodied in one structure having a common frame, and being operated from a common source.

I will first describe that portion of the illustrated machine which pertains only to the printing of folded slips, and I will de scribe in detail the various main elements of the machine in the order named above.

Means for printing successively varying subject matter, together with mechanism fan operating and controlling same.-The main frame A is constructed with suitable standards, extensions and brackets for receiving and supporting the various parts of the mechanism, as will be hereinafter fully described. Mounted in suitable bearings a a, Figs. 1 and 6, is the driving shaft B, upon which is fixedly secured the driving pulley B, the latter being driven by a suitable belt B which in turn is driven by an electrical or other convenient motor. Also fixed upon this driving shaft is a driving pinion B, which meshes with a large gear C, Figs. 1 and 6. This pinion C is rotatably mounted upon a shaft G, one end of which is mounted in a bearing a in the frame, Fig. 6, and whose other end extends into the interior bore of an exterior-1y threaded member C the intermediate portion of the shaft extending through the hub c of the main printing cylinder C The bore of the hub is provided with a longitudinal groove for receiving a spline c which is fixedly secured in a longitudinal groove in the shaft C. It will therefore be noted that the cylinder is capable of sliding longitudinally alo'ng the shaft C. G is co-axial with the cylinderC and secured to one end of the hub thereof as shown, the spline 0 extending also into the threaded member C as shown, and the latter being also provided with'a groove forming an extension of the groove in the hub. The outer end of the threaded member G which I shall hereinafter refer to as the screw-trunnion, engages a nut 0, which is formed or secured in the upright portion a of the frame. This construction therefore is such that'the rotation of the shaft C in one direction will cause the cylinder C to travel in one direction of the shafts axis, and the rotation of the shaft in the opposite direct-ion will effect such longitudinal travel in the opposite direction of the shaft axis, as will be readily understood.

Formed upon the large gear 0 is a clutch member 0 and rotatably fixed to the shaft 0 by means of the feather c is a second and double-faced clutch member 0*, the face of which opposite the clutchmember 0 is adapted to engage the latter. The opposite face of the clutch-member C is adapted to engage forms a part of the hub of a grooved driving pulley C whichis rotatably mounted upon the outer end of the shaft G. This pulley C is driven by a round crossed belt 0 which passes around a second grooved driving pulley B fixedly mounted upon the shaft B. The clutch-member C is provided with a circumferential groove 0, Figs. 1 and 6, which is engaged by a fork d secured to the upper end of a lever D, and pivoted to a bolt a fixedly secured to the frame A, as shown in Fig. 2. Having its inner end articulating with the upper portion of lever D is a manually operable starting-lever D, which is pivoted at a to a standard a forming part of the frame, shown in Figs. 2 and 6. The outer end of the starting-lever D rests upon a support A forming part of the frame, which is formed with the two endstops a and a and the intermediate stop a". The stop a is stepped up in a plane above the stops a and a", as shown in Fig. 1. These stops are so spaced that when the lever D is thrown over so as to come into contact with stop a the clutch member C will be shifted into a neutral position, in which it engages neither the clutch-member (1 nor the clutch-member 0 When the lever is raised so as to disengage stop a and thrown over to engage the stop a the The threaded member a clutch-member c, Fig. 6, which clutch-member C will engage the clutchmember 0 It will therefore be seen that when the clutch-member is in its neutral position, the driving motor will be disconnected from the shaft C.v hen the clutch member C engages the clutch-member 0 the large gear C will drive said clutch-mem ber, and said gear, being rotatably secured to the shaft C, will drive the latter. The direction of the thread on the screw-trunnion is such that such direction of driving will cause the screw-trunnion to pass through the nut, outwardly, and thereby in conjunction with gear C, imparts a helical movement to the cylinder C from the right hand toward the left hand side of the machine, as viewed in Fig. 1. WVhen the lever is now shifted so as to bring the clutch mem ber G into engagement with the clutchmember 0*, a helical movement in the opposite direction will be imparted to the cylinder, through the medium of the crossed belt 0 as will be readily understood.

The lower end of the clutch-lever D extends downwardly beyond the bolta, and pivotally secured to such downwardly extending end, is a longitudinally shiftable rod D mounted in suitable supports forming part of the frame, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 6. At the other end of the frame is mounted a lever D which is pivoted at an on the frame, as shown in Fig. 1. The upper end of this lever extends into the path of movement of a nut or collar 0, which is mounted upon the thread of the screw-trunnion 0 may be adjusted therealong, and is secured in place by means of a set-screw 0 It will therefore be seen that when the cylinder C travels a sufficient distance to the left, as viewed in Fig. 1, the collar C will engage the upper end of the lever D and throw the shifting rod D also to the left. This action will cause the lower end of lever D to move to the left, and throw its upper end toward the right, thus causing the clutch-member .C also to move toward the right. Inasmuch as the movement of the cylinder toward the left is coincident with the engagement of the clutch-members and C it will be seen that this shifting ac tion will throw the clutch-member C out of such engagement into a position such that clutch-member G will engage clutch-mem ber c", and thereby effect a reversal of the direction of rotation of the shaft C and a return helical movement on the part of the cylinder. The momentum which the drum acquires in its rotation and consequent movement from left to right is sufficient to move the lever D and hence the rod D a distance such as will carry the clutch member C from the position in which it engages the member 0, past its neutral position and into full engagement with the member 0 Pivoted upon the frame and near the right 'hand end of the machine is a stopping-lever D Figs. 2, 8 and 6, which is fixedly secured to the shifting-rod D and whose upper end projects into the return path of the end of the cylinder, after the operation of shifting the said rod D to the left by lever D. By means of this construction, therefore, it will be seen that when the cylinder reaches a point near the end of its return movement, it will engage the upper end of the lever D and throw the shifting rod D to the right. This action will therefore result in the movement of the upper end of the clutch-lever D to the left and disengage the clutch-member 'C, the location of the lever D being such that the amplitude of this movement will be such as to throw the clutch member G into a neutral position, stop the further rotation of the cylinder, and throw lever D again into the path of collar C. This movement is further such as to bring the handstarting-lever D into the position illustrated in Fig. 1, in which it engages the stop a". Any tendency which the drum may have, by reason-of its acquired momentum on the return movement, to move the clutch member 0 through the rod D and lever D, past its neutral position, is prevented by the engagement of the lever D with the said stop a". By now lifting this lever D upwardly and throwing it over into engagement with the stop a clutch-member C engages clutchmember 0 and the helical movement of the cylinder to the left is repeated and continued until collar C again strikes the lever D,

whereupon the above described reversal of the movement of the "cylinder takes place, and when the end of its return movement is again reached, rotation of the cylinder ceases, in the manner above described.

The cylindrical surface of the cylinder C is provided with two helical parallel grooves c and 0 Figs. 1, 10 and 13. These grooves are arranged after the manner of'a multiple thread, and the groove 0 is of, comparatively narrow width. At equal intervals and intersecting the bottom of the groove 0 are the narrow depressions 0 Figs. 10 and 11. These depressions are preferably formed in plugs C, which are fixed in holes 0 drilled radially into the cylinder, as will be readily understood. Each plug is formed with an inclined projection 0 forming an overhangin surface which receivesthe one end of a printing type-plate C carrying the type for impressing one of the individual impressions of the successively varying subject matter,

end of the plate is beveled, as shown, to fit snugly against the inclined surface of the pro ection 0 The other end'of the plate ,C is provided with a small transversegroove 0 which receives the outer end of a yielding fastening clip 0, the other end of which is or what is known as the destination. This secured in the bottom of the depression 0",

away as shown in Fig. 11. The upper end of the depression is enlarged as shown, so as to permit the upper end of the clip to spring from the corresponding end of the plate C In placing these plates in position, the ends engaging the projections 0 are first inserted in place, and the opposite ends thenpressed downwardly against the corresponding clips, so as to spring same away until the inner surfaces of the plates are brought into contact with the surface of the cylinder, in which position the upper ends of the clips are permitted to engage the small grooves c as will be readily understood. By means of this construction, it will be seen that the plates may be readily removedfroin'and inserted in the groove 0 The groove 0" is uniform in depth and surface, and its purpose will be hereinafter fully described.

Mounted beneath the main printing cylinder C is a pressure-roller E, Figs. 23 and 24:. This roller is carried by a frame F, pivoted at a to a standard a secured to the main frame of the machine. The forward end f of this frame is held normally in a downward position by means of two springs f f, the lower ends of these springs being secured to a rod a, secured to the frame, as shown in Fig. 24. The trunnions e e of the pressure roller are located at the rear of the pivotal axis of the frame, and the latter extends some distance beyond said trunnions, as shown in Fig. 23. Bearing against the rear end of the frame is a spring at, whose upper end is forwardly bent, as shown. This upper end is adapted to catch the rear .end of the frame F when the pressure roller E is depressed so as to tilt the frame upon its pivotal axis and hold it in such position against the action of the springs f". The roller E is provided with flanges e e which are a distance apart equal to the pitch of the groove 0 of the cylinder, and project into the said groove. The roller is located immediately beneath said groove 0 so that the flanges, when the rear end of the frame is tilted upwardly, will easily travel in two successive convolutions thereof. The cylindrical surface of the roller between the flanges is provided with a yielding material such as cloth or paper, which bears against the under side of the strip G of folded paper which passes through the space between the roller and the type-plates on the cylinder C as will hereinafter be more fully described. Fixed at a predetermined point in the groove 0 is a plug 0 Fig. 10, when it reaches a certain point in its travel, engages one of the flanges e of the pressure roller and throws the latter, together with the rear end of the frame F, downwardly. This action permits the spring a to engage the upper surface of such rear end of the frame andhold same in such downwardly projecting position, and

is timed to take place, that is, the plug is placed in such part of the groove 0, so that it will occur at the end of'the movement of the printing cylinder C to the left, and therefore coincidently with the reversing movement of the lever D By means of this arrangement, it will be seen that the pressure-roller is inoperative during the return stroke of the cylinder C and the stigip of paper G is permitted to sag down su ciently to remain out of contact with the type-plates during such movement.

Mounted upon the frame and parallel with the rod D is an oscillatory rod F, Figs. 3, 23 and 24. The right hand end of this rod has secured to it an upwardly projecting arm 7, Figs. 3 and 4, the upper extremity "of this arm projecting to the left and slightly into the interior of the cylinder (1 when the latter is in its extreme right hand position, as .shown in said Fig. i. Mounted upon the inside of the cylinder and near its right hand edge is a dog C, whose movement is limited by a stop 0' and whose inner end is normally held against said stop by means of a spring 0' The right hand end of the dog projects into the pathway of the upper end of arm 7. As will be noted, the dog is so arranged that when the cylinder is on its return movement and near the. end thereof, that is, in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 4c, the dog will pass the arm 7" without actuating it. 'When the cylinder is beginning its operative printing movement, and is hence revolving in the opposite direction, the dog engaging stop 0' will catch the arm f and oscillate the rod F in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 24:. This rod has secured to it by means of asuitable set-screw a collar i on which is a projection f The path of this projection is such as to intersect the path of movement of the spring (2' when the latter is in the position shown in dotted lines in 'said Fig. 24. When, therefore, the rod F is oscillated as above described, the projection i will engage the spring a, throw the upper end of same rearwardly, release the rear end of the frame F, and permit the springs f to throw the rear end of the frame upwardly so as to again bring the pressure-roller E into operative relation with the strip of paper in the main printing cylinder. This action, it will be noted, takes place at the beginning of the operative printing movement of the cylinder, that is, the movement of the latter toward the left of the-machine.

lnlat'ng mechanism for the means for printing successively varying subject matter, together with means for operating and controlling same-The general form and method of operation of the inking mechanlsm-for the main printing cylinder C are,

peculiar combination of this inking mechanism with the operating mechanism. of the main cylinder that I claim presents novel features. This printing mechanism is supported upon the rear of the frame of the machine, and consists of a main inking roller H, Figs. 2, 3, 5 and 6, three distributing rollers H, H and H together with a feed roller H. A suitable ink-well H is provided, which supplies ink to the feedroller H The spindle of roller H has secured thereto a ratchet wheel h which is actuated by a pawl h oscillated by a cam h By this means, the roller H is intermittently and partially rotated whereby the ink is fed from roller H to roller H intermittently. The roller H is capable of oscillation in the direction of its axis, such movement being obtained by means of a cam groove h Fig. 6, which engages a fixed member h This oscillatory movement is provided, as is well known, for the purpose of evenly distributing, with the cooperation of roller H the ink upon said main roller H. From this last named roller the ink is transferred to the roller H, which in turn bears againstthe type-plate of the main printing cylinder and inks the type thereon. Rotation of roller H is effected through a gear H and pinion IV, the latter meshing with gear C, as shown in Fig. 2.

The ends of the spindle of the roller H are carried by rods h and are slidingly mounted in supports h, Fig. 3, so that by moving the supports upwardly the said roller H may be moved out of contact with the type-plates after sufficient inking has taken place. Three or four revolutions of the main cylinder have been found to be sufficient to effect the necessary inking, and after such number of revolutions the roller H is automatically thrown out of contact with the type. This action is effected by the following means. Mounted upon the frame, Fig. 3, is a bell-crank J, one arm of which articulates with the sliding members h and the other arm of which articulates with the lower end of an arm J. The other end of this latter arm articulates with a lever J 2 whose lower end is pivoted at a in the frame of the machine, as shown in said figure. The upper end of the lever J 2 pro jects into the path of a cam C forming an integral part of the hub e of the cylinder shown in Figs. 3 and 6, when the parts connected with this arm are in a position in which the roller H is in contact with the type of the typeplates. The just-described position is the position these parts occupy immediately after the inception of the helical travel of the cylinder toward the left. Just prior to the inception of this helical movement, the upper end of the arm J 2 is removed from out of the path of the said cam, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3, and a is held in this position by an arm J 3 which has a horizontal plane of movement. This last-named arm is connected with a spring 7' which tends to push the arm toward the left, and is provided with stops 7' and 7' as shown in Fig. 4, which are adapted to receive the lever J 2 and the frictional contact between stop 7' and said lever J prevents the spring y' from pulling same toward the right of the machine. When the arm J is forcibly moved to the right, arm J 2 is allowed to move toward the rear. of the machine, which permits its upper end to project into the path of the cam C. This movement to the rear, on thepart of lever J is effected when arm J is moved, as hereinafter described, by the weight of theroller H and sliding parts connected therewith, and said lever is released. Said arm J 3 is furthermore provided with a cam surface 7' which lies in the path of the arm f Figs. 3 and 4. The dog C is so placed that the arm f will be actuated by same, as previously described, immediately following the inception of the rotation of the cylinder C which effects its movement to the left. Such movement brings said arm f into contact with the cam surface j, which moves the arm J 3 to .the right and permits the arm J to move toward the rear, which move ment, as before noted, brings the upper end of said arm J 2 into the path of the cam C". A continuation of the helical movement of the cylinder then brings the cam C into contact with the arm J The engagement of these two elements throws the arm J forwardly again and permits the spring j to throw the arm J 8 to the left and reengage and hold the arm J 2 out of the path of the cam in its travel back on the return movement of the cylinder C The location of the, upper end of arm J is such, however, that this action does not take place until, as previously noted, after the required three or four revolutions of the cylinder have been effected to allow the necessary inking.

Means for printing constantly recurring subject matter, together with means for severing the strip to form sZ'ips.These printing means are located upon the frame at the front part of the machine, and are illustrated, Figs. 1, 2, 3, 6, and in detail on an enlarged scale in Figs. 23, 24 and 25.

Rotatively mounted upon the driving shaft B, Fig. 23, is'a gear K. which is connected with a train of gearsK, K K K and K respectively mounted upon suitable spindles in the frame of the machine. The gear K meshes with a pinion K, Fig. 25, upon the outer end of whose spindle h is mounted a printing cylinder k Figs. 14, 15 and 24. This cylinder is keyed to the spindle, and may be readily slipped on and off same, as 'will be readily understood. The type upon this cylinder impresses the first line of the constantly recurring matter, which in this case constitutes what is known as the where from matter. Below the cylinder 10 is a flanged pressure-roller h Figs. 23 and 24, whose surface is covered with a yielding substance such as paper or cloth. This roller is secured to the spindle is upon which the gear K is mounted, and bears slightly against the printing cylinder h. The strip of folded paper G passes between this cylinder and roller, and the where from matter is impressed upon the upper surface of the strip, the location of the type on the cylinder being such as to bring the subject matter immediately below the variable subject matter or destination, imprinted by the type-plates, as shown in Fig. 17 Suitable inking mechanism L is provided for properly supplying ink to the surface of the type on the cylinder Z0 Spindle h is mounted in vertically slidable bearing boxes l, l, Fig. 15, which are operated to raise or lower by cams actuated by a cam-lever l These parts are so arranged that by raising lever l the boxes will be moved upwardly, thus moving the spindle l0 and hence the cylinder upwardly away from pressureroller 70 This allows the cylinder to be moved longitudinally of the spindle is and so removed therefrom entirely.

The gear K meshes with a gear K and upon the outer end of the spindle h, carrying the gear K is secured a pressure-roller 7c, Figs. 23 and 24:, similar to the pressure roller k Upon the outer end of the spindle h upon which gear K is secured, are mounted three separate printing cylinders K K and K These cylinders are secured to the spindle h in the same manner as the cylinder 70 is secured to its spindle, whereby they may be readily slipped on and off. Cylinder K contains the type which impresses the name and address of theclerk, cylinder K? the type impressing the month of the year, and K the type impressing the day of the month. These cylinders are so located that they will impress their printed matter upon one fold of the slip. The strip Gr passes between the pressure-roller h and the cylinders K K and 1 so that the last described constantly recurring subject matter is impressed upon the lower surface thereof, it being understood that the strip is folded before it reaches these printing mechanisms, the manner of such folding being hereinafter fully described.

The spindle k is mounted in slidablebearing'boxes, in a manner exactly similar to that applied to the spindle is, as will be readily understood from an inspection of Fig. 1.6. A suitable inking mechanism L is provided, for supplying ink to the cylinders K, K and K Secured to the outer end of spindle h upon flanged feed-roller l Figs. 23 and 24:, and mounted upon a spindle [0 immediately above spindle la is a complementary flanged feed-roller K These two rollers are sufliciently close to each other to receive between them and bear tightly against the folded strip of paper 0. The spindle k is driven through a pinion h secured thereto, which meshes with the gear K Also secured to this spindle is a bevel-gear K' Figs. 23, 24 and 25. This bevel gear meshes with a bevel pinion h secured to a spindle 70 mounted in a bearing a. The outer end of this last named spindle carries a disk M, to which is secured a knife M which revolves about the axis of said spindle and intersects the path of the paper strip. The gears are so timed that this knife, cooperating with a fixed knife edge a, will sever the strip between successive impressions of-both the constant and variable printed matter, so as to form the individual slips. These latter are received by a slip-catcher N, the construction of which forms no part of the present invention, and therefore need not be described in detail. The disk M also carries a project ing bar m having projecting therefrom at right angles two pins m m, which pass into the catching receptacle N through slots n n, as shown in Figs. 23 and 9A. These pins carry the severed slips downwardly into the catching receptacle, N.

jlfeehanism for operating and controlling the means for printing the constantly ream"- ring subject matter.-The gear K is formed with a clutch-member 70 which is adapted to engage a second clutch-member b which is slidably mounted upon the driving shaft B, but rotatably secured thereto. This clutchmember 6 is actuated by'a bell-crank l),

.which articulates with the lower end of a rod 5 Fig. 7, whose upper end bends rearwardly and engages the helical groove 0", as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. These last described parts are so arranged that when the rod 6 is raised, the clutch-member b will be thrown out of engagement with the clutch-member h, and into the position shown in Fig. 7. This movement of the rod is effected by means of cam-block c', Fig. 10, which is placed at a point in the groove such that it which gear K is secured, is an unwill come into engagement with the end of 4 the rod 71 when the printingcylinder G has reached the end of its movement tothe left, and therefore simultaneously with the operation of the reversing mechanism for returning the cylinder. It will therefore be seen that the mechanism for printin the constantly recurring subject matter w1ll be thrown out of operation simultaneously with the beginning of the reversing movement of the said cylinder. This action,being elfected by the cam-block 0', occurs a short time after the throwing-out of operation of the pressure-roller E, which renders the typeplates of the printing cylinder C inopera-' This latter projection lies in the path of a pivoted member cl mounted upon the starting lever D, as shown in Figs. 2 and 6, when i the latter occupies the position shown in dotted lines in the last-named figure. This dotted position is imparted to said member 41 by means of a rod d and spring-actuated bell-crank 03 the spring 03' tending to maintain the position of the member d shown in full lines in this figure, in which the projection 0 lies without the path of movement of said member. It will therefore be seen that by pressing the bell-crank d and shifting the member d as above described, when the starting lever D is thrown over to the right to start the printing cylinder on its movement to the left, that is, upon its printing movement, the arm 0 will be actuated to move the shifting rod 0 to the left of the machine, as viewed in Fig. 1, or the right,

as viewed in Fig. 7 Secured by means of a suitable set-screw, to the rod 0, is a collar 0, Whose path of'movement intersects the upwardly extending arm of the bell-crank Z), so that when rod 0 is shifted, as previously described, it will be seen that the clutch-member-Z) will be brought into engagement with the clutch-member This arrangement, therefore, permits the mechanism for printing the constantly recurring matter and just described, to be started simultaneously with the beginning of the operative printing movement of the 'main printing cylinder C I Snip-folding means.The strip G upon which the impressions are made, issupported in the form of a roll, Fig. -1, upon the rear of the machine, and in an angular position on brackets a a. Leading from near this support upwardly, to the right and discharging at a point slightly in the rear of the vertical axial plane of cylinder C and opposite the mechanism for printing the constantly recurring matter, is a folding device P, of trough-like form, but having its sides warped as shown by the cross-sections in Fig. 8, the cross-sectional area ofthe trough diminishing from the receiving to the discharging end, the width at the'former end being sufficient to take the entire sheet, and the discharging end being of a width substantially equal to the width of the folded strip. This warped form is such that the strip proper will be folded first on a median line, the warping of the trough from the plane 9 to the planep being 180 degrees. That is, when the paper reaches the plane p, Fig. 8, it will have been folded on its median line. The warping then proceeds, but in the opposite direction, and only one-half, that is, the upper portion of the trough is so warped, as indicated by.

the planes 2 and [9 By the time the strip reaches the plane 39 one-half of the folded sheet will have been doubled back upon itself. From this plane on, the trough warps again in the upward direction, and the strip is again folded upon the line which is now the median line. By the time the strip reaches the plane 1 which is just inside the discharging point of the trough, the strip will have been first doubled, and then provided with two more folds equal in width to one-third the strip after having first been folded, as illustrated by Fig. 18.

From the discharging end of the trough the folded strip passes, as illustrated in Fig. 24, between the main printing cylinder 0 and the pressure-roller E, thence upwardly and through the mechanism for printing the constantly recurring matter, as herein before described, the feed-rollers K and K drawing the strip along at a speed equal to the circumferential speed of the said cylinder C The gears and connections above described are all arranged so that the impressions made by the cylinder C will register with the impressions made by the printing cylinders 70 and the printing cylinders K", K and K are located upon their common spindle so as to register upon the lower side of the strip with the matter imprinted upon the upper side, as will be readily understood, and as illustrated in Fig. 17.

Means for printing unfolded strips.As previously noted, the machine as thus far described, relates only to the printing upon the folded strip, that is, the production of folded slips. The machine as illustrated, however, is also adapted to print unfolded slips, and to this end the cylinder C is made of sufficient length, to. provide a groove 0 of a length such that two sets of type-plates 1 may be placed therein in succession, so that two operations of printing successively varying subject matter and two operations of printing constantly recurring subject matter may take place simultaneously.

I The mechanism for carrying out the printing of the unfolded slips is in all respects the same in so far as relates to the printing of the successively varying subject matter excepting that an additional set of typeplates is provided, as that'described in connection with the printing of the folded slips.

In the case of the folder slips, it was necessary to mount the roll of paper in an angular position so as to cause the strip as finally folded to emerge from the folding trough in a horizontal position. In the case,

however, of the printing of the unfolded slips, the roll is mounted upon a horizontal axis, as 'shown in Figs. 2 and 3, suitable hangers a being provided for this purpose. The unfolded strip G passes upwardly from the roll and beneath the printing cylinder C as shown in Figs. 19- and 21. A second pressure-roller E is mounted in a second frame F arranged to oscillate as previously described, and provided with the springs 7 F, as shown. This pressure-roller l3 must be of a width only sufficient to make the impressions from single succeeding typeplates, and inasmuch as the unfolded paper strip is very much wider than this roller, the flanges which are provided on the roller E in the case of the folded strip, are omitted. These flanges in the case of pressure-roller E, it will be remembered, were utilized for depressing the frame Fafter the printing movement of the cylinder was completed. Being omitted in the case of the unfolded strip, it will be obvious, other means must be provided for efiecting a discontinuance of the printing operation, that is, effecting the depression of the frame F when this operation is completed. To this end, the

' frame F is provided with an upward eX- tension f, Fig. 21, which carries at its upper end a member f traveling in the groove c". A second cam-block 0", Fig. 1, is provided, properly located in the groove 0 which will therefore engage the member f, and depress the rear end of frame F A second spring-catch a! is mounted upon the frame, as in the case of the mechanism first described, and the frame F is caught thereby at the end of the printing movement of the cylinder, and held until released as a result of the oscillation of the rod F and the engagement of a second projection f with the spring, this release being effected, as will be remembered, immediately after the beginning of the operative movement of the cylinder C The frame.F in this case is provided with two separated guiding plates f and f, Fig. 9, between which the unfolded strip travels, and which carries the latter up and down.

JO 'The means for. printing the constantly recurring subject matter for the unfolded slip are mounted on the forward part of the frame, as shown in Figs. 1, 6 and 19, and are operated by the shaft B having a second sliding clutch-member b engaging with a driving gear Q. This gear Q drives a train of gears arranged as shown in Fig. 21,which drive a pressure-roller Q and a spindle 9 upon which is mounted the four printing cylinders Q Q Q and Q Fig. 19, respectively carrying type for printing the where from, the name and address, the month of the year, and theday of the month. The train of gears also drives two feed-rollers Q, andQf, which draw the paper strip through the mechanism and feed it to a cutting-off device E. .This cuttingofi device is actuated by a cam R, rotatably mounted upon the spindle g.

Secured to the main frame A is a bracket a, Fig. 19, upon whose outer end is mounted an oscillatory rod 9, to whose outer end is secured an arm 9 The oscillatory end of this latter arm is connected with an oscillatory arm g by means of a link 9 Fig. 21. This latter arm is pivomd at a, and its outer end is connected by means of a pin 9 with a slotted arm g pivoted at a. Connected with the arm 9 by means of a strap 9 is the knife E. This knife comprises two side members 1' r fixedly secured to the os-- and carrying upon its inner cillatory rod 9 This knife blade opend the knife blade 1*.

erates in conjunction with a fixed plate a,

Fig. 22, to cut the strip of paper as it passes over same from the rollers Q and Q A spring a, Fig. 21, tends to keep the arm 3 in a raised position in which it intersects the path of the cam R, in which position the knife blade r is raised. As the cam R revolves the inner 'end of arm 9 is depressed, which effects the depression of the knife blade and its intersection of the paper strip, as will be readily understood.

The end of arm 9 is fixedly secured to an oscillatory rod 9 which carries the fingers These latter move downwardly simultaneously with the cutting operation, and carry the severed slip with a suitable receptacle for same, (not shown).

The control of the operation of this lastdescribed printing mechanism is effected in a manner and by means exactly similar to those employed in connection with the previously described means for printing constantly recurring matter on the folded strip. To this end, therefore, gear Q; is provided with the clutch-member 9 cooperating with the additional clutch-member 5 Similarly, a second bell-crank b collar 0 on rod 0, and rod 6 as will be readily understood from an inspection of Fig. 7, the latter being actuated by cam-block 0'".

General operatz'om-Assuming the parts to be in the positions indicated in Fig. 1, and that the driving belt B is driving the pulley 1B, and that the shifting rod. B and connected parts are in the position shown in Fig. 7, it will be seen that all the parts excepting the driving belt, driving pulley B, pinion B and gear C, the latter being under these conditions driven idly, will be at rest. When it is desired to start the machine, the hand-starting lever D is grasped so as to include the rocker arm d Fig. 6. By pressing the latter, the member d will be thrown into the path of the projection 0 on the arm 0, Fig. 6. By now throwing the said starting lever over to the right, clutch-member C will be thrown into engagement with the folded strips. The rotation of the shaft C effects the rotation of the printing cylinder C through its connection with the latter by means of the spline c and slot in the hub c on said cylinder. Rotation of this cylinder effects the rotation of the screw-trunnion C which through its engagement with the nut a is drawn to the left and imparts the helical movement previously described to said cylinder. While this is taking place, both the folded and unfolded strips G and G are fed along under the printing cylinder to the feed rollers, and the cooperation of the typeplates on the latter with the pressure-rollers E and E effect the printing of the successively varying subject matter on the upper side of the strips. At the beginning of this 5 movement, as was previously described, the inking roller H was in contact with the type-plates on cylinder C, but after three or four turns of this cylinder, the cam C engages the arm J 2 as previously described, and throws said inking roller out of engagement with said type-plates, thearm J 3 from this point on holding the arm J 2 in a position which maintains the non-engagement of the inking roller H as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3. This helical movement ofthe cylinder continues until all of the type-plates have made their impressions successively on the two strips, the folded and unfolded respectively, the mechanism for printing the constantly recurring matter meanwhile 006perating therewith to impress their constantly recurring subject matter upon the upper and lower sides of the folded strip, and upon the upper side of the unfolded strip, as was previously explained, the cutting devices at thesame time causing these strips to be severed between successive impressions, as will be readily understood.

As soon as all of the type plates have made their impressions upon the stripsyand all of these impressions have been supplemented with the printed matter impressed by the mechanism for printing the constantly r'ecurring matter, the cam projections in the groove 0 engage the rods 6 b and disconnect this latter printing mechanism, as was previously described. At the same time, the adjustable sleeve C engages the arm D which effects the shifting of the clutch-member G into engagement with the clutchmember 0*. This action effects the reverse direction of rotation of the screw-trunnion (F, and therefore the reverse direction of rotation of the printing cylinder C Just prior to this, the cam-blocks 0' and c in the slot 0", provided for this purpose, re spectively engage the flanges e e of the pressure-roller E and the roller f on the arm f connected with the pressure-roller E, to throw these rollers downwardly, the spring a retaining same in this downward inoperative position, as was previously described.

The rollers and therefore the strips of paper are then out of contact with the cylinder C on the return movement. Just before the end of this return movement, the edge of the cylinder O engages the arm D which, as was previously explained, throws the clutchmember G into the neutral position which it occupied just prior to the inception of the operation. While these actions are being inaugurated, the dog C engages the arm f and oscillates the rod F 3 to actuate the spring a and permit the pressure-rollers to reassume their operative positions. This engagement of the arm f with the arm J permitted the arm J to drop into a position such as to allow the inking roller H to fall into contact with the type-plates.

This action throws the upper end of arm' J 2 into the path of the cam G which, after three or four turns of the cylinder, engages said upper arm end and throws the inking roller out of engagement with the typeplates, as previously described, the arm J being held in this position by means of the spring j shown in Fig. 4.

, The rods 5 and b are located in the groove 0 in a position such that the cam blocks 0' 0" will engage them during that revolution of the cylinder C in which the pressure-rollers E and E are depressed, the depressing action taking place in such revolution at a time prior to that in which the said arms b and b are engaged by said cam blocks. This permits the mechanism for printing the constantly recurring matter to continue its operation a short time after the means for printing the successively varying subject matter is thrown out of operation by the depression of said rollers E and E. The, distance between the vertical axial plane of the cylinder C and the axes of the spindles 7c and g, which latter axes are, by the way, in the same vertical plane, is such that the paper strips will travel a distance sutlicientto permit of the printing of the constantly recurring matter upon that part of the strip which was last impressed by the type-plates on cylinder C thus completing the last operation of printing the constant matter which is necessary-to supplemerrt the last printed variable matter so als to make complete impressions for the last s 1p.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a printing machine, the combination of two cooperating registering printing mechanisms, one of which is adapted to print successively varying matter, and the other of which is adapted to print constantly recurring matter; means for feeding paper to said printing mechanisms; and means for folding such paper and arranged to operate prior to the printing operation on said paper of said printing mechanisms.

2. In a printing machine, the combination of paper-folding means; mechanism adapted to print successively varying matter upon folded paper; printing mechanism adapted to print constantly recurring matter on such folded paper, and registering with the mechanism for printing the said varying matter; and means for severing the folded paper between the successive impressions of such matter.

3. In a printing machine, the combination of paper-folding means;-mechanism adapted to print successively varying matter upon the folded paper; printing mechanism adapted to print constantly recurring matter on such folded paper; additional printing mechanism adapted to print additional constantly recurring matter on such folded paper; and means for severing the folded paper between the successive impressions of matter; said printing mechanisms registering with each other.

a. In a printing machine, the combination of paper-folding means; mechanism adapt ed to print successively varying matter upon the folded paper; printing mechanism adapted to print constantly recurring matter on such folded paper; additional printing mechanism adapted to print additional constantly recurring matter on such folded paper; and means for severing the folded paper between the successive impressions of matter; said printing mechanisms registering with each other, and arrangedto act successively in the order named.

5. In a printing machine, the combination of paper-folding'means; mechanism adapted to print successively varying matter upon one side of the folded paper; printing mechanism adapted to print constantly recurring matter upon the other side of such folded paper and registering with said first named printing mechanism; and means for severing the folded paper between successive impressions of matter.

6. In a printing machine, the combination of paper-folding means; mechanism adaptto print successively varying matter upon one side of the'folded paper; mechanism adapted to print constantly recurring matter upon the same side of such paper; ad-

rename ditional printing mechanism adapted to print additional constantly recurring matter upon the other side of such folded paper; and means for severing the folded paper between successive impressions of matter; the said printing mechanisms registering with each other.

7 In a printing machine, the combination of paper-folding means; mechanism adapted to print successively varying matter upon one side of the folded paper; mechanism adapted to print constantly recurring matter upon the same side of such paper; additional printing mechanism adapted to print additional constantly recurring matter upon the other side of such folded paper; and means for severing the folded paper between successive impressions of matter; the said printing mechanisms registering with each other, and arranged to act successively in the order named.

8. In a printing machine, the combination of a rotary cylinder; printing characters arranged helically upon the surface of such cylinder a paperguiding pressure-roller cooperating with said printing operation upon the paper, and provided with a flanged periphery; means for rotatingthe cylinder helically about its axis; means for throwing said roller out of operative relationship with said cylinder; means on said cylinder for engaging the flange of said pressure-roller, and adapted to throw same out of operative relationship with said cylinder; a dog for maintaining such inoperative relationship of the roller; means for reversing the direction of rotation of the cylinder after such throwing-out means have operated; an oscillatory knockoff rod adapted to engage said dog and re lease said roller; means for causing said roller to resume its operative relationship with respect to said cylinder; and means on said cylinder for actuating said block-off rod at the beginning of the forward stroke ofthe cylinder.

9. In a printing machine, the combination of driving means; a type-carrying cylinder mounted so as to he helically movable about its axis; means for automatically reversing the direction of such movement; and means operable at the end of the reversed movement of the cylinder for disconnecting said driving means, whereby the cylinder is rendered stationary.

10. in a printing machine, the combination of a rotary type-carrying cylinder mounted so as to be helically movable about its axis; a pressure device arranged to be thrown into and out of operative relation with said cylinder; means operable at the beginning of the forward movement of said cylinder for effecting such operative rela tionship; and means operable at the end of cylinder to efiect the t such movement for reversing the cylinders movement; and driving means for effecting the movement of the cylinder.

11. In a printing machine, the combination of a type-carrying cylinder mounted so as to be movable helically about its axis; reversible driving mechanism for imparting such movement; inking mechanism arranged so as to be capable of being thrown into or out of operative relationship with the type on said cylinder; and means for effecting a cessation of such operative relationship. at' the expiration of a part of the forward movement of the cylinder.

12. In a printing machine, the combination of a type-carrying printing cylinder; means for moving said cylinder helically about its axis; reversible driving means; automatically operating means for reversing said driving means at a predetermined point in the possible forward movement of the cylinder; and means for automatically disconnecting the driving means at the end of the return stroke.

13. In a printing mechanism, the combination of two cooperatingregistering printing mechanisms, one of which is adapted to print successively varying matter, and the other of which is adapted to print constantly recurring matter; driving means for actuating said printing mechanisms; manually operable means for connecting said driving means with both said printing mechanisms; and means for automatically disconnecting said second named printing mechanism from said drivlng means.

14. In a printing machlne, the combination of two cooperating registering printing mechanisms, one of which is adapted to print successively varying matter, and the other. of which is adapted to print constantly recurring matter; driving means for actuating said printing mechanisms; manually operable means for connecting said driving means with both said printing mechanisms; and means controlled by the first-named printing mechanism for automatically disconnecting said first-named printing mechanism from the driving means.

15. In a printing machine, the combination of two cooperating registering printing mechanisms, one of which is adapted to print successively varying matter, comprising in its structure a cylinder mounted so as to be movable helically about its axis, and formed upon its surface with a helical groove; the second printing mechanism being adapted to print constantly recurring -matter-; driving means for actuating said printing mechanisms; manually operable means for connecting sald driving means with both said printing mechanisms; and

means for disconnecting said second-named printing mechanism from said driving means, and comprising in its structure a rod traveling in said groove; the latter being provided with a cam for actuating said rod to effect such disconnection. W

Signed by me, this 21st day of July, 1910.

GILBERT V. FULK.

Attested by CURT B. MUELLER, WINIFRED WALTZ. 

